Crime
Rising insecurity: FG orders new strategy amid fresh attacks in Borno, Benue
This, it said the country needed rather than a security summit.
The Senate on Tuesday resolved to hold a two-day national security summit to brainstorm a solution to the rising wave of killings and other forms of insecurity in the country.
The decision followed a motion sponsored by Jimoh Ibrahim, senator representing Ondo south, at the resumption of plenary.
Speaking during the ministerial briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, questioned the relevance of the Senate’s proposed national security summit, arguing instead for renewed strategy.
He said, “On the summit, yes, strategy is far more important than summit. But summit will give you some inputs for the strategy. When you hold a summit, you have people, they talk. We take what they expect, and we go back to design or renew our strategy.
“And then the chief of Defence staff gives operational orders based on the strategy they developed. So what the National Assembly is trying to do may be to bring people together to discuss issues.
“I visited most of the past defense ministers. I visited most of the past service chiefs to discuss issues of security during their time and what we see today and how we do. And I’m sure the service chiefs also did the same.
So, the summit can help, but the strategy is much more important.”
Badaru also dismissed the idea that terrorists possess superior firepower compared to the Nigerian military, insisting that the nation’s armed forces are better equipped.
He said, “ Yesterday, the House of Assembly said that the terrorists have better weapons than us.
“That is absolutely not true. That is absolutely not true. We have much more sophisticated weapons and we have much more sophisticated drones.
“The issue is, this war is not a conventional war. It’s like a guerrilla war. They watch us, they have informant around us .
They help the people that we try to protect. And they give them information. And they jump at us the way we don’t expect.
On domestic efforts to enhance Nigeria’s military self-reliance, Badaru revealed that 10 of the 53 companies under the Defence Industrial Complex have commenced production of drones, aircraft components, helmets, and safety vests.
He said the government targets at least 20 firms to be fully operational by year’s end, with exports beginning in 2026.
“We’re also working on reviving sections of Ajaokuta Steel to support military hardware production,” he disclosed.
The minister’s comment came amid a fresh wave of deadly attacks that claimed the lives of an Army captain and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Borno and Benue.
In Benue, gunmen suspected to be armed herders attacked the Mbatsada communities in Mbalom and Mbasombo wards of Gwer East Local Government Area of the state, killing four, including APC chieftain Akaabo Johnson.
According to witnesses, the assailants stormed the area around 4:35 pm on Tuesday, firing indiscriminately.
The Chairman of Gwer-East LGA, Timothy Adi, who confirmed the incident in a telephone interview on Wednesday said the attack was unprovoked.
Lamenting the activities of armed herders in the council, Adi said that Tuesday’s attack was the second within the last two weeks.
He said that security men had been deployed to the area to secure the boundary lines of the local government area, in a bid to prevent further attacks.
Adi said, “Four dead bodies among them an APC elder in the ward were recovered and there bodies taken to St. Gregory Hospital morgue.
“I urge residents, particularly the youth, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to relevant security agencies.
“We must remain united and steadfast. This attack is a tragedy, but we will not allow fear to rule us. Governor Alia is not resting – plans are underway to put an end to these unprovoked attacks.”
Efforts to get the Benue Command spokesperson, Catherine Anene to confirm the development were not successful as her phone rang out and has not responded to text messages sent to her cellphone as of the time of filing this report.
Similarly, in Borno State, the military was thrown into mourning after an Army captain was killed during a confrontation with Boko Haram insurgents who launched an ambush on a military facility in Giwa.
Confirming the incident, the Emir of Gwoza, HRH Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, said the assailants stormed the area around 1am and engaged the troops.
“It’s true that my people in Izge community came under Boko Haram attack around 1am. Unfortunately, a Captain and a Soldier paid the supreme price.
“But troops, the Civilian JTF, hunters, vigilantes and resilient community members also killed three terrorists.
“The terrorists abandoned their weapons, over 10 motorcycles and they are still on the run, while being trailed by our security men,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede visited the North-East to oversee ongoing military operations under Operation HADIN KAI.
The Nigerian Army announced in a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
According to the post, General Oluyede is currently on ground leading frontline efforts against insurgents in the region.
“Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General OO Oluyede currently in the North East overseeing Army operations in Operation HADIN KAI, “the post read.
Two police officers have been killed after suspected armed herders ambushed the convoy of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ayilamo, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The latest attack occurred on Monday evening, barely four days after another deadly incident in the community reportedly left four policemen and seven residents dead.
Community sources said the DPO had travelled to Makurdi on official duty and was returning to Ayilamo when his entourage came under attack.
One of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the victims were among newly deployed Mobile Police officers stationed in the area.
He said the officers were attacked at about 6pm while travelling from Ayilamo to escort the DPO back to the community from Makurdi.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, said two officers attached to the DPO’s entourage were killed in the attack.
“The DPO came to Makurdi to collect some things, and while returning to Ayilamo, he was attacked and lost two of his men in the attack,” Aondongu said.
The latest incident has raised fresh concerns over the security situation in Ayilamo, where repeated attacks have resulted in casualties among security personnel and residents.
The Nigeria Police Force has placed its formations nationwide on red alert following intelligence reports of planned terrorist attacks on worship centres, schools, NYSC orientation camps and other public places.
The alert followed fresh intelligence indicating increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks on vulnerable targets across the country.
Police authorities also reportedly received intelligence on the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.
The operational order was contained in a police wireless message dated September 13, 2026, with reference number CB: 0900/FDPS/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL38/68, issued by the Department of Operations at Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Marked “Security General” and tagged “Treat as Very Important,” the message was circulated to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police overseeing Zones 1–17, Mobile Police formations, counter-terrorism and other specialised units, as well as Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The police directed formations to intensify vigilance and take proactive measures to prevent criminal and terrorist elements from carrying out attacks.
The warning specifically highlighted places of worship, educational institutions, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable public locations as potential targets.
A 16-year-old boy, Favour Ayogu, who was allegedly abducted in Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, has been rescued in Onitsha, Anambra State, after his abductors reportedly abandoned him near a security checkpoint.
Ayogu was rescued on the evening of September 13, 2026, by a joint security patrol team operating along Oguta Road, Onitsha.
According to the Anambra State Police Command, the teenager was found at Ekene Junction after unidentified persons reportedly pushed him out of a black Toyota Highlander SUV close to a security checkpoint.
The patrol team immediately intervened and rescued the victim, thereby preventing what the police described as further danger to his life.
Following the rescue, the Command said it had intensified surveillance and intelligence-led operations to identify and apprehend members of the suspected criminal gang responsible for the abduction.
The police also appealed to residents of Igboeze South and Ibagwa-Aka in Enugu State who may have useful information about Ayogu or his family to contact the nearest police station or the Anambra State Police Command in Awka.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the security personnel involved in the rescue and directed officers to sustain strategic checkpoints, intelligence-led patrols and coordinated security operations across the state.
The Command assured residents and visitors that it would continue to intensify efforts to prevent criminal elements from using Anambra as a safe haven.
At least nine passengers have been killed after gunmen opened fire on a commercial bus at Dungus Junction in Kuru community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack reportedly occurred around 9:40 p.m. when the bus, which was travelling towards Jos, stopped at the junction to drop off some passengers.
Several other passengers were reportedly injured in the attack and rushed to hospitals for treatment.
Lawan Suleiman, a neighbour and teacher of one of the victims, identified the driver as Ibrahim and said three of the victims were from his community in Bukuru.
“The driver is Ibrahim and he was my student. Three of them are from our community here in Bukuru. Their bodies have been deposited at the hospital. But relatives are preparing to collect them for burial,” Suleiman said.
The bus was reportedly riddled with bullets, with bloodstains visible inside the vehicle after the attack.
Rwang Tengwong, spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders (BYM), also confirmed the incident, saying the victims were passengers travelling to Jos when the attackers opened fire on the vehicle.
Tengwong said one of those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow.
“The incident happened around 9.40 p.m. The victims were all passengers travelling to Jos when the terrorists opened fire on the vehicle. Among those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow. It is a very sad development and we lament the loss of lives,” he said.
He added that some passengers sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to hospitals, while some of the injured reportedly later died.
The attack has raised fresh concerns over the safety of commuters travelling along the route at night amid continuing security challenges in parts of Plateau State.
As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
The Enugu State Police Command has ordered an investigation into two separate incidents of alleged disruption of political gatherings in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state.
The incidents reportedly occurred on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Ndiuno-Obuoffia community and St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to thoroughly investigate the incidents and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
According to the statement, armed hoodlums allegedly disrupted a National Democratic Congress (NDC) ward meeting at Ndiuno-Obuoffia with sporadic gunshots, leaving two attendees injured.
In a separate incident at St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani, hoodlums allegedly destroyed canopies and chairs arranged for a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally.
The police said operatives were promptly deployed to both locations after receiving reports of the incidents to prevent further breaches of peace and track down the fleeing suspects.
The Command, however, noted that neither of the political gatherings had been formally brought to the attention of the police for security coverage.
CP Giwa reiterated his warning that all political activities in the state must be conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.
He stressed that electoral offences are punishable under the law and warned political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders against violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other acts capable of disrupting public peace or the electoral process.
The Commissioner urged political parties and other stakeholders to notify the police ahead of campaigns, meetings, rallies and other political gatherings to enable the Command to make adequate security arrangements.
He assured residents that the police would continue to maintain a peaceful and secure environment for lawful political activities while dealing decisively with anyone found violating the law.
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